Place: R8, Realfagbygget, NTNU Gløshaugen

Summary for the doctoral thesis “Effects of power lines on moose (Alces alces) habitat selection, movements and feeding activity” by Gundula S Bartzke

The thesis is based on four papers, covering various ecological effects of power lines on a large herbivore, tAhe moose (

Alces alces), in central Norway. A large set of moose GPS relocation data was analyzed for paper I (effects on moose habitat selection) and II (corridor and barrier effects). This was complemented by a field study in paper III (edge effects) and a literature review including effects on other ungulates in paper IV. Power line effects were also compared to those roads and rivers, whilst accounting for linear feature combinations. Results in paper I indicated that moose did not avoid power lines except in certain habitats in autumn. Power lines were a source of attraction in forests in winter. This may have been influenced by the provisioning of feeding opportunities in the cleared areas under the power lines following succession. In contrast, road effects varied from avoidance to attraction, possibly influenced by gender-specific sensitivity to disturbance and seasonal variations in the suitability of habitats surrounding roads. Results in paper II indicated that power lines did not pose barriers to moose movements in contrast to roads and rivers in forests. Moose increased movements along power lines when getting closer, similarly to roads and rivers, but were moving randomly when in close enough proximity to cross power lines. Results in paper III indicated that moose mostly used forests at 50-100 meters distance from the edges of the cleared area under a power line and other types of forest edges. The cleared area under the power line provided fewer stems for browsing than surrounding forests. Paper IV examined factors that may influence avoidance of power lines by ungulates. Reindeer were suspected to be disturbed by power lines in contrast to some forest ungulates. Overall, the results from this thesis indicated power lines did not disturb moose. However, moose may avoid cleared areas under power line locally where food and cover are lacking. Suggestions for improved vegetation management and power line routing were made.